St. Norbert Dijon Pasta

St. Norbert

(1080 – 1134)

Feast Day: June 6th

Founder of the Premonstratensians

“Norbert was born to a noble family of the Rhineland, in Germany and led a very worldly life in the royal court. This worldly spirit and a desire to advance led him to be ordained as a subdeacon. Norbert feared greater restrictions on his lifestyle and so declined receiving higher orders. A near death experience would change his life however, when lightning frightened his horse. Norbert was thrown to the ground and lay there unconscious. When he awoke, he felt a strong desire to do penance and change his life. He left the king’s court and went to a monastery near Cologne. It was there that he spent two years studying for the priesthood, into which he was received, at the Monastery of St. Siegburg. Norbert wore a monastic habit and returned to the Rhineland to reform other religious in positions of authority. St. Norbert’s efforts at reform angered many people and they made accusations against him. They accused him of preaching without full sanction of the Church.

Norbert sold all of his property and gave away the money to the poor. Norbert then traveled to visit Pope Gelasius II in Rome. The pope gave Norbert permission to travel and preach wherever he desired. Norbert became a traveling priest, and preached penance and greater respect for the Blessed Sacrament, throughout northern France. Norbert had a gift for being able to touch lukewarm hearts. With the help of the Holy Spirit, his preaching rekindled the “flame of faith” in many. As an itinerant preacher, he had a reputation for eloquence and also miracles. Norbert decided to settle in Premontre. It was there that he founded the Order of Premonstratensians. This Order was dedicated to fighting heresies and spreading devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. In 1125, Norbert was made archbishop of Magdeburg. His new diocese was in need of reform, and Norbert approached it with great zeal, which made him many enemies. St. Norbert set about trying to reclaim property that had been taken away from the Church. This attempt to reclaim Church property led to several assassination attempts, which caused a schism in the Church. St. Norbert was appointed Chancellor of Italy and was counselor to the Emperor of Germany. Although Norbert had left the cloister, he continued the practice of penance and austerity throughout his life. St. Norbert died from exhaustion in 1134. St. Norbert’s symbol is a monstrance. The word monstrance comes from the Latin word “monstrans” which means: to show or point out. The monstrance is the sacred vessel, which holds the Consecrated Host when being exposed for veneration or carried in a procession.

This pasta salad has been named for St. Norbert because of the preaching he did in France, represented by the French mustard. The pasta reminds us that before his death, St. Norbert had been appointed Chancellor of Italy. This is a meatless salad and so reminds us of the penance that St. Norbert lived, as well as preached, through his monastic lifestyle. St. Norbert’s life is yet another reminder of the extreme difference one heart turned toward God can make! Thank you St. Norbert!”

St. Norbert Pasta Dijon Salad

Feast Day: June 6th

In a small mixing bowl combine the ¼ c. Dijon mustard.

Add ¼ c. red wine vinegar (preferably from Italy because it does not have GMO).

Now add ½ c. olive oil.

Whisk to combine.

Chop 4 or 5 green onions. And add those as well.

Mince or press 2 cloves of fresh garlic and add to the mixture.

Chop up a tomato. And add it too.

Now give it a good stir and let it sit for 1 hour if possible.

While the St. Norbert pasta dressing is growing in flavor, bring a large pot of water to boil. Add some salt to the water. Add the corkscrew pasta to the water and cook until al dente.

Rinse the snow peas. Pull snow pea strings.

Sautè the snow peas in a small amount of butter. Cook a brief amount of time – only 1 to 1 ½ minutes until they are bright green. They continue cooking when removed from the heat – so do not over cook. When they are bright green remove them from the heat.

Combine your salad – first the pasta!

Then the St. Norbert Dijon dressing! Now toss the pasta with the dressing.

Then the snow peas! Toss it all up and enjoy!

This could even be dinner on a hot evening.

St. Norbert Pasta Dijon Salad

Feast Day: June 6th

If you are not cooking for a large number of people, make the recipe with half the pasta and snow peas. Make all the dressing, but reserve half for use the next night or as a dip for French bread.

Serves 6-10

Dressing:

¼ c. Dijon Mustard

¼ c. Red Wine Vinegar

½ c. Olive Oil

4-6 Green Onions, finely chopped

2-3 large cloves of Garlic, pressed

1 Tomato, chopped

1 lb Snow Pea or Sugar Snap Pea Pods, cooked until tender crisp

1 lb Corkscrew Pasta, cooked and drained

Combine all ingredients (except pea pods and pasta) and whisk to combine. Let stand at room temperature for one hour. (In a pinch, you may use the dressing after 5-10 minutes) Put the pasta in a large bowl, pour the dressing over it and toss. Add the Snow Peas and toss. Serve!